Blood pressure cuff

ABSTRACT

A blood pressure cuff includes a first bladder having a width, and a length transverse to the width. The blood pressure cuff also includes a second bladder connected to the first bladder and a port fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second bladders.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for blood pressuredetermination and, in particular, to systems and methods of determiningblood pressure using an inflatable blood pressure cuff.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The measurement of blood pressure is a common procedure used inhospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities to assist indiagnosing illnesses and monitoring patient health. In standardnon-invasive blood pressure measurement practice, a patient's arterialblood pressure is measured using an inflatable sleeve, commonly referredto as a blood pressure cuff. The cuff is typically adapted to fit arounda limb of the patient, and such cuffs are usually sized to fit aroundthe patient's upper arm, between the armpit and the elbow. After placingthe cuff around the upper arm, a bladder within the cuff is inflated toocclude the brachial artery, the primary blood vessel in the armcarrying blood away from the heart.

Blood pressure cuffs are typically available in a variety of standardsizes depending on the arm circumference (i.e., neonatal, child, andadult) of the patient. The Association for Advancement of MedicalInstrumentation (AAMI) has published standards that suggest bladderdimensions for each of these categories. The AAMI standards indicate,for example, that the adult cuff bladder length should be approximately0.80 times the circumference of the limb at the midpoint of the intendedrange of the cuff. This published AAMI standard also states that thewidth of the adult cuff bladder should be approximately 0.40 times thecircumference of the limb at the midpoint of the intended range of thecuff. While these standard cuff ratios may be adequate for the majorityof patients, such standard blood pressure cuffs are not well-suited forpatients having arms with abnormally large circumferences.

Obese and/or muscular patients, for example, typically have arms withcircumferences that are much larger than an average patient. Inaddition, for most obese patients, the distance between the armpit andthe elbow is relatively short as compared to the arm circumference. Sucharm geometry can pose challenges to health care providers when trying toproperly occlude the brachial artery during non-invasive blood pressurereadings. For instance, although obese patients may require bloodpressure cuffs longer than the standard blood pressure cuffs describedabove to account for the circumference of their arms, the AAMI standardsstipulate that the width of such a cuff bladder must increase as thelength of the bladder increases. For most obese patients, however, thedistance between the elbow and the armpit is typically not long enoughto accommodate a blood pressure cuff with the stipulated increasedwidth. Thus, while a blood pressure cuff sized for such patients mayhave a length adequate to encircle the circumference of the patient'sarm, the width of such a cuff would extend beyond the patient's elbow.Under such a scenario, the bone structure of the elbow would hinderocclusion of the brachial artery during inflation of the cuff, causingblood pressure readings to be inaccurate. Also, covering the anticubitalfasa makes the proper placement of a stethoscope impossible for atraditional manual blood pressure cuff reading.

Conversely, while it may be possible to construct a conventionalsingle-bladder blood pressure cuff having a length sufficient toencircle such large circumference aims and a width sufficient to fitbetween the armpit and the elbow, such a hypothetical blood pressurecuff would inflate to have an undesirably narrow cross-section along thelength of the arm before achieving the pressure required to occlude thebrachial artery of obese patients. Generally, approximately 3 inches ofcuff contact width is required between the armpit and the elbow foraccurate blood pressure measurements during occlusion of the brachialartery. Thus, the width of such hypothetical cuffs would not maintainsufficient contact with the arm of the patient during occlusion, andblood pressure measurements obtained using such cuffs would also beprone to error.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towardovercoming the deficiencies described above.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a blood pressurecuff includes a first bladder having a width, and a length transverse tothe width. The blood pressure cuff also includes a second bladderconnected to the first bladder and a port fluidly connected to at leastone of the first and second bladders.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a bloodpressure cuff includes a first bladder including a top sealed to abottom opposite the top. The first bladder includes a width, and alength equal to approximately three times the width. The blood pressurecuff also includes a second bladder fluidly connected to the firstbladder. The second bladder includes a top sealed to the bottom of thefirst bladder, and a bottom sealed to the top of the second bladder. Thesecond bladder includes a length and a width approximately equal to therespective length and width of the first bladder. The blood pressurecuff further includes a port sealed to the top of the first bladder. Theport is fluidly connected to the first bladder.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a bloodpressure cuff includes a bladder having a length and a variable width,the variable width including a maximum width and a minimum width. Thebladder includes a first wall, a second wall opposite the first wall,and a plurality of partitions extending from the first wall to thesecond wall. Each partition of the plurality of partitions includes aplurality of thru holes and a band. The band restricts lateral expansionof the bladder beyond the maximum width.

In an additional exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a bloodpressure cuff includes a connection portion including a tail, and aninflation portion connected to the connection portion, the inflationportion including a pocket, and a top having an orifice. The bloodpressure cuff also includes an inflatable bladder removably disposedwithin the pocket. The inflatable bladder includes a port passingthrough the orifice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a blood pressure cuff according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary blood pressure cuffshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a blood pressure cuff according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary blood pressure cuffshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a blood pressure cuff according to a furtherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary blood pressure cuffshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a blood pressure cuff according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary blood pressure cuffshown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a further cross-sectional view of the exemplary blood pressurecuff shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary blood pressure cuff disposed about alimb of a patient.

FIG. 11 illustrates a blood pressure cuff according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary blood pressure cuffshown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a blood pressure cuff according to a furtherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary blood pressure cuffshown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a blood pressure cuff according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary blood pressure cuffshown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a further cross-sectional view of the exemplary bloodpressure cuff shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is another cross-sectional view of the exemplary blood pressurecuff shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 illustrates a conventional blood pressure cuff disposed about alimb of a patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary blood pressure cuff 10 of the presentdisclosure. The blood pressure cuff 10 includes an inflatable portion 32and a connection portion 30 connected to the inflatable portion 32. Asshown in FIG. 2, the inflatable portion 32 includes at least onebladder, and in exemplary embodiments, the inflatable portion 32 mayinclude a first inflatable bladder 34 and a second inflatable bladder36. The first bladder 34 may include a top 14 and a bottom 16 disposedopposite the top 14. Likewise, the second bladder 36 may include a top26 and a bottom 28 disposed opposite the top 26. Each of the bladders34, 36 may be formed from a single piece of material or, alternatively,at least one of the bladders 34, 36 may be formed from separate piecesof material that are joined together through heat sealing, ultrasonic orRF welding, adhering, and/or other processes. In exemplary embodimentsin which at least one of the bladders 34, 36 is formed from a singlepiece of material, the piece of material may be folded along a seam 38,40 to form the top 14, 26 and the bottom 16, 28. In such exemplaryembodiments, a remaining perimeter of the piece of material may besealed opposite the seams 38, 40 to form a substantially fluid tightbladder 34, 36.

Alternatively, in exemplary embodiments in which at least one of thebladders 34, 36 is formed from separate pieces of material, the top 14,26 of the bladder 34, 36 may comprise a first panel, and the bottom 16,28 of the bladder 34, 36 may comprise a separate second panel. In suchexemplary embodiments, the first panel may be sealed to the second panelabout a perimeter of the respective panels to form a substantial fluidtight bladder 34, 36. For example, each bladder of the presentdisclosure may be formed from separate sheets and/or panels of material,and sealed along respective peripheral edges thereof.

The blood pressure cuffs of the present disclosure may be formed fromany medically approved material known in the art. Such materials may behighly flexible, durable, and suitable for contact with, for example,the skin of a patient. Such materials may also be tear-resistant,fluid-impermeable, and recyclable. Such materials may include, forexample, paper, cloth, mesh and/or polymers such as polypropylene orpolyethylene. In still further exemplary embodiments, such materials maybe coated and/or otherwise treated with one or more additives that causethe material to become biodegradable within a desired time interval(e.g., within 2 to 3 months).

Each of the exemplary bladders described herein may have a respectivelength, width, and inflated height suitable for use with obese patients.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first bladder 34 may have adeflated length L1 and a deflated width W1, and the second bladder 36may have a respective corresponding deflated length L2 and deflatedwidth W2. Unless otherwise indicated, the lengths and widths referred tofor the duration of this disclosure are intended to be deflated lengthsand widths. In exemplary embodiments, inflated lengths and widths of theexemplary bladders described herein may be different than thecorresponding deflated lengths and widths.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second bladder 36 may be disposed withinthe first bladder 34. In such exemplary embodiments, the length L2 andwidth W2 of the second bladder 36 may each be less than thecorresponding length L1 and width W1 of first bladder 34. At least oneof the bladders 34, 36 may have a length L1, L2 sufficient to completelyencircle a circumference of an obese patient's arm. In such exemplaryembodiments, at least one of the lengths L1, L2 may be up toapproximately 30 inches or greater. In further exemplary embodiments, atleast one of the lengths L1, L2 may be greater than approximately 11inches, such as between approximately 11 inches and approximately 16inches. In still further exemplary embodiments, at least one of thelengths L1, L2 may be between approximately 11.25 inches andapproximately 13.75 inches. It is also contemplated that in otherexemplary embodiments, at least one of the lengths L1, L2 may be betweenapproximately 2 inches and approximately 4 inches. In addition, in anyof the exemplary embodiments described herein, at least one of thewidths W1, W2 may be sufficient to extend between the armpit and theelbow of the obese patient's arm. In such exemplary embodiments, atleast one of the widths W1, W2 may be less than approximately 8 inches.In further exemplary embodiments, at least one of the widths W1, W2 maybe between approximately 5 inches and approximately 7 inches. In furtherexemplary embodiments, at least one of the widths W1, W2 may be betweenapproximately 5.25 inches and approximately 6.5 inches.

As shown in FIG. 2, in an inflated state, the first bladder 34 may havea height H1, and the second bladder 36 may have a height H2 that is lessthan the height H1. When fully inflated, the height H1 may be betweenapproximately 5 inches and approximately 6 inches. Although the heightH2 of the inflated second bladder 36 may be less than the height H1 ofthe inflated first bladder 34, in exemplary embodiments, both bladders34, 36 may be inflated to assist in occluding the brachial artery of thepatient during blood pressure measurement. In further exemplaryembodiments, however, the first bladder 34 may be inflated for occlusionof the brachial artery of obese patients, while the second bladder 36may be inflated for occlusion of the brachial artery of non-obesepatients. At least one of the first and second bladders 34, 36 may beinflatable to a pressure of approximately 160 mm Hg to assist inoccluding the brachial artery of such patients.

The blood pressure cuff 10 may further include a first port 22 fluidlyconnected to the first bladder 34, and a separate second port 24 fluidlyconnected to the second bladder 36. Each of the bladders 34, 36 mayinclude an orifice configured to accept at least a portion of therespective port 22, 24. For example, at least a portion of each port 22,24 may pass through a respective orifice of the bladders 34, 36 so as toprovide a fluid passage 42, 44 into and out of the respective bladders34, 36. In further exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of therespective port 22, 24 may be sealed to the respective bladders 34, 36about a perimeter of the orifice. The ports 22, 24 may be sealed to thebladders 34, 36 by, for example, heat sealing, ultrasonic or RF welding,adhering, and/or any other process known in the art. In an exemplaryembodiment, the top 14, 26 of each bladder 34, 36 may define such anorifice, and each port 22, 24 may be fluidly and/or mechanicallyconnected to the top 14, 26 of each bladder 34, 36 about the perimeterof such orifices.

In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the first bladder 34 mayinclude two such orifices. The first port 22 may be sealed to the firstbladder 34 about a perimeter of the first orifice, and the second port24 may be sealed to the first bladder 34 about a perimeter of the secondorifice. Additionally, the second bladder 36 may include a singleorifice. The second bladder 36 may be sealed and/or otherwise connectedto the first bladder 34 about a perimeter of the single orifice. Thesingle orifice of the second bladder 36 and the second orifice of thefirst bladder 34 may be substantially aligned to facilitate such aconnection. In addition, the second port 24 may be sealed to the firstand second bladders 34, 36 about the respective perimeters of theseorifices.

In exemplary embodiments, each port 22, 24 may comprise an open-endedcylindrical cavity. A portion of the port 22, 24 may protrude from thetop 14, 26 of each respective bladder 34, 36, and may include, forexample, a circumferential shelf, flange, ridge, and/or other likestructure to facilitate connection with one or more known inflationdevices. For example, the port 22, 24 may be shaped, sized, and/orotherwise configured to mate with a corresponding pump, bulb, gauge,hose, adapter, fitting, and/or other device utilized by a health careprofessional to inflate the corresponding bladder 34, 36 and/or measurepatient blood pressure. As a result, the port 22, 24 may enable fluid aswell as mechanical connection with inflation and/or blood pressuremeasurement devices known in the art. For example, such ports 22, 24 mayfacilitate connection with one or more hand operated inflation bulbs byway of a releasable fitting. Additional details concerning exemplaryport designs are provided in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,086, entitled“Low Profile Pressure Measuring Device,” the entire disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

The connection portion 30 may be connected to the inflatable portion 32along a seam 18 through heat sealing, ultrasonic or RF welding,adhering, and/or any of the processes described above. In additionalexemplary embodiments, the connection portion 30 may be formed from thesame piece of material as either the top 14 or the bottom 16 of thefirst bladder 34. In such exemplary embodiments, the seam 18 may beomitted. While FIG. 1 illustrates the connection portion 30 extendingsubstantially linearly from the inflatable portion 32, in additionalexemplary embodiments, the connection portion 30 may extend from theinflatable portion 32 at any desired angle θ. In exemplary embodiments,the angle θ may be between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 90degrees depending upon the geometry of the patient's arm. In stillfurther exemplary embodiments, the blood pressure cuff 10 may be curved,rounded, and/or otherwise substantially arcuate in shape. In suchexemplary embodiments, the top 14 and bottom 18 of the first bladder 34may be formed from the same piece of material as the connection portion30, and the entire blood pressure cuff 10 may be cut and/or otherwiseformed to have any desired arcuate shape and/or radius.

The connection portion 30 may include a tail 12, a slot 20, and aconnector 21. The slot 20 may extend along a central longitudinal axis23 of the blood pressure cuff 10, and in an exemplary embodiment, theslot 20 may be aligned with the ports 22, 24. The slot 20 may have awidth transverse to the longitudinal axis 23 that is sized to acceptpassage of the ports 22, 24 therethrough. The slot 20 may also have alongitudinal length that limits the effective circumference of the bloodpressure cuff 10. In exemplary embodiments, the slot 20 may have alength between approximately 5 inches and approximately 6 inches, andsuch a length may yield a maximum blood pressure cuff circumference ofapproximately 19 inches and a minimum blood pressure circumference ofapproximately 15 inches. In such exemplary embodiments, both of theports 22, 24 may extend through the slot 20 when the blood pressure cuff10 is worn by the patient.

In further exemplary embodiments, the length of the slot 20 may bebetween approximately 1 inch and approximately 3 inches. In suchexemplary embodiments, only one of the ports 22, 24 may extend throughthe slot 20 when the blood pressure cuff 10 is worn by the patient,while the tail 12 may overlay the other of the ports 22, 24.Alternatively, in embodiments in which only one of the ports 22, 24 mayextend through the slot 20 when the blood pressure cuff 10 is worn bythe patient, an end of the tail may be disposed between the ports 22, 24during use. For example, the slot 20 may be sized such that only one ofthe ports 22, 24 extends therethrough when the blood pressure cuff 10 isused on an arm of standard circumference, and the other of the ports 22,24 may extend therethrough when the blood pressure cuff 10 is used on anarm having, for example, a relatively large circumference. In this way,the length and/or other configurations of the slot 20 may ensure thatthe proper port 22, 24 is used depending on the circumference of theindividual patient's arm. As a result, the range of arm sizes (i.e.,circumferences) that the blood pressure cuff 10 can be used with islimited by the length of the slot 20.

In exemplary embodiments, the tail 12 may be configured to encircle atleast 75 percent of the first bladder 34 when the blood pressure cuff 10is wrapped around and/or otherwise worn on an arm of the patient. Infurther exemplary embodiments, the tail 12 may be configured to encirclegreater than 100 percent of the first bladder 34 when the blood pressurecuff 10 is worn, and in such exemplary embodiments, the tail 12 may havea length greater than the length L1 of the first bladder 34.

The connector 21 may include any known adhesive, hook, loop, fastener,clip, snap, tie, and/or other like releasable connection device. Infurther exemplary embodiments, the connector 21 may include one or morepatches of Velcro® connected to the tail 12. In such exemplaryembodiments, the connector 21 may be disposed on an underside of thetail 12, and the connector 21 may be configured to releasably attach tothe top 14 of the first bladder 34 and/or a topside of the tail 12 whilethe blood pressure cuff 10 is worn on the arm of the patient.

While the exemplary blood pressure cuff 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2includes a second bladder 36 disposed within and fluidly separate fromthe first bladder 34, additional exemplary blood pressure cuffs of thepresent disclosure may include one or more second bladders outside ofand fluidly connected to the first bladder 34. For example, FIGS. 3 and4 illustrate a blood pressure cuff 100 according to an additionalembodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the blood pressure cuff100 includes a first bladder 34, and a second bladder 46 fluidlyconnected to the first bladder 34.

The second bladder 46 may include a top 48 and a bottom 50 disposedopposite the top 48. In exemplary embodiments, at least one of the firstand second bladders 34, 46 may be formed from a single piece ofmaterial. In such exemplary embodiments, the single piece of materialmay be folded along a seam 38, 52 to form the top 14, 48 and the bottom16, 50. In further exemplary embodiments, at least one of the first andsecond bladders 34, 46 may be formed from separate pieces of material.In such exemplary embodiments, the top 14 of the first bladder 34 maycomprise a first panel and the bottom 16 may comprise a separate secondpanel. In addition, the top 48 of the second bladder 46 may comprise athird panel and the bottom 50 may comprise a separate fourth panel. Insuch exemplary embodiments, the separate panels of material may besealed along respective perimeters thereof to form the first and secondbladders 34, 46.

The bottom 16 of the first bladder 34 may include a plurality oforifices 55. Although FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate three such orifices 55,in additional exemplary embodiments, the bottom 16 may include more thanor less than three orifices 55 depending upon the application and thedesired inflation characteristics of the blood pressure cuff 100. Inaddition, although the orifices 55 are shown as being substantiallyaligned along the central longitudinal axis 23 of the first bladder 34,in additional exemplary embodiments, the orifices 55 may be disposed atany alternative location along the bottom 16 to facilitate inflation ofthe first and second bladders 34, 46. Further, although FIG. 4illustrates the orifices 55 having respective centerlines that areoffset from a centerline of the port 22, in further exemplaryembodiments, at least one of the orifices 55 may have a centerline thatis substantially collinear with the centerline of the port 22.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top 48 of the second bladder 46 may alsoinclude a plurality of orifices 56. The shape, size, and/or location ofthe orifices 56 may substantially correspond to the shape, size, and/orlocation of the orifices 55. In exemplary embodiments, the orifices 55,56 may permit the passage of fluids such as, for example, compressedair, between the first and second bladders 34, and 46. In particular, aperimeter of each orifice 55 may be sealed to a perimeter of acorresponding orifice 56 of the second bladder 46. The sealed orifices55, 56 may define respective passages 54 extending between the first andsecond bladders 34, 46. In exemplary embodiments, the bottom 16 of thefirst bladder 34 may be sealed to the top 48 of the second bladder 46about a respective perimeter of each of the orifices 55. Likewise, thetop 48 of the second bladder 46 may be sealed to the bottom 16 of thefirst bladder 34 about a respective perimeter of each of the orifices56. In such exemplary embodiments, a separate passage 54 may be formedat each of the sealed orifices 55, 56. Moreover, the blood pressure cuff100 may include a gap 58 disposed between each of the passages 54. Atsuch gaps 58, the top 48 may lie substantially adjacent to the bottom16.

In exemplary embodiments, the first and second bladders 34, 46illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 may have substantially the same dimensions.For example, a width of the second bladder 46 may be approximately equalto a width of the first bladder 34, and a length of the second bladder46 may be approximately equal to a length of the first bladder 34. Insuch exemplary embodiments, the first and second bladders 34, 46 mayhave substantially the same length L1 and width W1 described above withregard to the first bladder 34 of the blood pressure cuff 10. Forexample, the width W1 of the first and second bladders 34, 46 may beless than approximately 6 inches, and in further exemplary embodiments,the width W1 may be between approximately 5 inches and approximately 6inches. In such exemplary embodiments, at least 3 inches of the width W1of the second bladder 46 may be configured to maintain contact with anarm of the patient while the blood pressure cuff 100 occludes thebrachial artery of the patient. In addition, the first bladder 34 may beinflatable to a height H1, and the second bladder 46 may be inflatableto a height H3 that is substantially equal to the height H1 of the firstbladder 34. In exemplary embodiments, the first and second bladders 34,46 may be inflatable to a combined height H4 between approximately 5inches and approximately 6 inches.

In such exemplary embodiments, the first bladder 34 may be inflated toany desired inflation pressure suitable for occluding the brachialartery of an obese patient, and the second bladder 46 may be inflatableto an inflation pressure that is approximately equal to the inflationpressure within the first bladder. In such exemplary embodiments, thefirst and second bladders 34, 46 may be inflatable up to approximately100 mm Hg or more. In such exemplary embodiments, the first and secondbladders may be inflatable to an inflation pressure of approximately 160mm Hg. In order to achieve such inflation pressures, the first andsecond bladders 34, 46 may have any of the lengths L1 and/or widths W1described herein, and in an exemplary embodiment the first bladder 34may have a width W1, and a length L1 equal to approximately three timesthe width W1. In addition, although the first and second bladders 34, 46have been described herein as having approximately equal dimensions, infurther exemplary embodiments, the length, width, and/or inflated heightof the second bladder 46 may be different than the corresponding length,width, and/or inflated height of the first bladder 34. In addition,while the first and second bladders 34, 46 have been described herein ashaving a substantially rectangular shape, in additional exemplaryembodiments, at least one of the first and second bladders 34, 46 may becrescent-shaped, horn shaped, conical, spherical, cube-shaped, and/orany other shape known in the art. A shape of the first bladder 34 may bedifferent than a shape of the second bladder 46.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in additional exemplary embodiments, theblood pressure cuff 200 may include first and second bladders 34, 46that are fluidly connected via a single passage 54. For example, thebottom 16 of the first bladder 34 may include an elongated orifice 55,and the top 48 of the second bladder 46 may include a correspondingelongated orifice 56. The corresponding elongated orifices 55, 56 mayeach be disposed along the central longitudinal axis 23 of the bloodpressure cuff 200. As described above with regard to the orifices 55, 56shown in FIG. 4, the bottom 16 of the first bladder 34 may be sealed tothe top 48 of the second bladder 46 about a perimeter of the elongatedorifice 55, likewise the top 48 of the second bladder 46 may be sealedto the bottom 16 of the first bladder 34 about a perimeter of theelongated orifice 56. The sealed orifices 55, 56 may define a singlepassage 54, and passage 54 may facilitate fluid communication betweenthe first bladder 34 and the second bladder 46. For example, compressedair and/or other like fluids may be provided to the first bladder 34 viathe port 22, and such fluids may flow from the first bladder 34 to thesecond bladder 46 via the passage 54.

The length, width, location, and/or other configurations of thecorresponding elongated orifices 55, 56 may assist in maintaining aninflation pressure within the first bladder 34 that is substantiallyequal to an inflation pressure within the second bladder 46 whileoccluding a brachial artery of the patient. For example, the orifices55, 56 may have a maximum longitudinal length that is at least twothirds as long as the length L1 of the first bladder 34. Likewise, theelongated orifices 55, 56 may have a maximum width transverse to thelongitudinal axis 23 that is at least one half the width W1 of the firstbladder 34. While FIG. 5 illustrates the passage 54 formed by theorifices 55, 56 as having a substantially rectangular shape, inadditional exemplary embodiments, the passage 54 may be oblong, ovular,and/or any other shape useful in facilitating the inflation of the bloodpressure cuff 200. In such exemplary embodiments, the shape of thepassage 54 may correspond to the shape of the corresponding elongatedorifices 55, 56, and the shape of the passage 54 may be different thanthe shape of, for example, at least one of the first and second bladders34, 46.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11-14, in additional exemplary embodiments, ablood pressure cuff 400, 500 of the present disclosure may include oneor more removable, separable, and/or detachable bladders 34. Forexample, the blood pressure cuff 400 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 mayinclude one or more pockets 90 configured to accept an inflatablebladder 34. The pocket 90 may include a substantially closed front 106and a substantially open back 108. The back 108 may include an openingsized to accept a deflated and/or partially inflated bladder 34. In suchembodiments, the back 108 may also include one or more flaps, clasps,ties, connectors, hooks, buttons, zippers, fittings, and/or other likestructures to assist in at least partially retaining the bladder 34within the pocket 90 during use. In further exemplary embodiments, theback 108 may be fully open.

The pocket 90 may also include a top 96, and a bottom 98 opposite thetop 96. The tail 12 of the blood pressure cuff 400 may be connected toand/or may extend from the top 96, and as shown in FIG. 12, the top 96may include at least one orifice 102. The orifice 102 may be disposedalong a central longitudinal axis of the blood pressure cuff 400, andthe orifice 102 may be shaped, sized, and/or otherwise configured toaccept passage of a port 22 of the inflatable bladder 34 therethrough.For example, once the bladder 34 has been at least partially disposedwithin the pocket 90, the port 22 may be passed through the orifice 102from within the pocket 90. The bladder 34 may then be inflated by, forexample, passing pressurized air through the port 22 from outside of thepocket 90 while the bladder 34 is disposed within the pocket 90.

The pocket 90 may further include a pair of opposing sides 92, 94. Thesides 92, 94 may be connected to the front 106, top 96, and/or bottom 98through any of the methods described above. At least one of the sides92, 94 may include one or more flexible and/or expandable pleats 104.Such pleats 104 may comprise folds allowing for expansion of the pocket90 as the bladder 34 is inflated. The pocket 90 may be sized to acceptbladders 34 having different shapes and sizes therein. For example, thepocket 90 may be sized to accept bladders configured for use withpatients having arms of average and/or standard adult circumference.Such bladders may be similar in shape and/or size as the second bladder36 described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The pocket 90 may alsobe sized to accept bladders configured for use with bariatric patientshaving aims of above average circumference. Such bladders may be similarin shape and/or size as the first bladder 34 described above withrespect to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in further exemplary embodiments, the bloodpressure cuff 500 may include a first bladder 34, and a second bladder46 removably attachable to the first bladder 46. For example, the firstbladder 34 may include a fitting 110 on the bottom 16 thereof, and thefitting 110 may assist in forming a removable mechanical and/or fluidconnection between the bladders 34, 46. The fitting 110 may be, forexample, any threaded, snap-on, and/or other type of connector known inthe art useful in facilitating a substantially fluid-tight connection.For example, such a fitting 110 may include one or more gaskets 112forming a fluid-tight seal at the bottom 16 when the second bladder 46is not connected to the first bladder 34. Upon removably attaching thesecond bladder 46 to the first bladder 34 by inserting the port 24 intothe fitting 110, the fluid-tight seal formed by the gasket 112 at thebottom 16 may be broken. For example, inserting the port 24 into thefitting 110 may temporarily and/or permanently breach the gasket 112.When the port 24 is inserted into the fitting 110, the gasket 112 mayassist in retaining the port 24 substantially within the bladder 34, andmay facilitate a fluid connection between the first and second bladders34, 46. For example, the port 24 may form a fluid passage 44 between thefirst and second bladders 34, 46. In exemplary embodiments, upondetaching the second bladder 46 from the first bladder 34, the gasket112 may again form a fluid-tight seal at the bottom 16. In this way,multiple second bladders 46 of different shapes, sizes, and/or otherconfigurations may be removably attached and/or otherwise connected tothe first bladder 34, and the first bladder 34 may be used repeatedlywith or without one or more second bladders 46.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9 and 15-18, in additional exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure, a blood pressure cuff 300, 600 may include aninflatable bladder 34 having a first wall 60, a second wall 62 oppositethe first wall 60, and at least one partition 68 extending from thefirst wall 60 to the second wall 62. In additional exemplaryembodiments, the blood pressure cuff 300, 600 may include a plurality ofsuch partitions 68, and at least two of the partitions 68 may have thesame dimensions and/or other configurations. As will be described ingreater detail below, the bladder 34 of blood pressure cuff 300, 600 mayinclude a variable width between and/or otherwise defined by the firstand second walls 60, 62.

The bladder 34 may also include a front wall 76, and back wall 78disposed opposite the front wall 76. The bladder 34 may further includea top 14, and a bottom 70 disposed opposite the top 14. The front wall76 and the back wall 78 may each extend from the top 14 to the bottom70. In such exemplary embodiments, bladder 34 may be substantiallycube-shaped, substantially rectangular, and/or any other known shape. Asshown in FIGS. 7-9, at least one of the partitions 68 of the exemplaryblood pressure cuff 300 may be disposed substantially parallel to thefront and/or back walls 76, 78, and as shown in FIGS. 15-18, at leastone of the partitions 68 of the exemplary blood pressure cuff 600 may bedisposed substantially parallel the top 14 and/or the bottom 70 of thebladder 34. In further exemplary embodiments, at least one of thepartitions 68 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to at leastone of the walls 60, 62, the top 14, the bottom 70, the front wall 76,and/or the back wall 78. For example, at least one of the partitions 68may be disposed substantially parallel to the first wall 60 and/or thesecond wall 62.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 18, the partition 68 may include a plurality ofthru holes 72. Such thru holes 72 may facilitate the passage of fluidsbetween adjacent partitions 68. Each partition 68 may include any numberof desired thru holes 72 useful in facilitating the inflation anddeflation of the bladder 34. In exemplary embodiments, the size of eachthru hole 72 may be inversely related to the number of thru holes 72included in the partition 68. For example, a partition 68 including thruholes 72 of a relatively large diameter may require fewer thru holes 72to facilitate the passage of fluid within the bladder 34. The partition68 may be formed from, for example, any of the materials described abovewith regard to the blood pressure cuff 10. For example, the partition 68may be formed from any flexible, durable, fluid-impermeable materialknown in the art such as paper, polyethylene, or polypropylene. Suchpartitions 68 may be connected to, for example, the first and secondwalls 60, 62 by heat sealing, ultrasonic or RF welding, adhering, and/orany other suitable process. In exemplary embodiments, the partition 68may not be sealed to, for example, the top 14, bottom 70, front wall 76,and/or back wall 78. In further exemplary embodiments, the partition 68may be sealed to at least one of the top 14, bottom 70, front wall 76,and/or back wall 78.

The partition 68 may include at least one band 74 disposed along a widththereof. For example, one or more bands 74 may be configured to extendbetween the first wall 60 and the second wall 62. As shown in FIGS. 9and 18, the bands 74 may be disposed along a minimum width W4 of theblood pressure cuff 300, 600. For example, the bands 74 may be disposedbetween a valley 66 of the first wall 60 and a corresponding valley 66of the second wall 62, and the bands 74 may assist in forming suchvalleys 66. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 15-18, the partitions68 may be disposed parallel to the top 14 and/or bottom 70, and mayextend between such valleys 66. As shown in phantom in FIG. 18, in suchan exemplary embodiment, the first and second walls 60, 62 may formpeaks 65 between the adjacent bands 74 when the bladder 34 is inflateddue to, for example, the resiliency of the bands 74 relative to theremainder of the partition 68. As a result, at such peaks 65, thebladder 34 may have a localized width greater than the minimum width W4and less than the maximum width W1.

The bands 74 may be formed from the same material as the partition 68.In additional exemplary embodiments, however, the bands 74 may be formedfrom material having a greater stiffness, resiliency, and/or rigiditythan the material utilized to form the partition 68. Such materials mayinclude, for example, plastic, rubber, polymers and/or other likematerials. The bands 74 may be formed integral with and/or may beembedded within the partition 68. Alternatively, the bands 74 may beformed separately from and connected to the partition 68. The greaterstiffness, resiliency, and/or rigidity of the bands 74 relative to thepartition 68 may assist in restricting lateral expansion of the bladder34 beyond the maximum width W1 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 18.

The dimensions of the maximum width W1 may correspond to the dimensionsof width W1 discussed above with regard to the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1, 3 and 5. For example, the bands 74 may restrict expansion ofthe bladder 34 to a minimum width W4 at each valley 66. Due to thisrestriction, the bladder 34 may form peaks 64 along the first and secondwalls 60, 62. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7-9, such peaks 64may be formed between each adjacent band 74, and in the exemplaryembodiment of FIGS. 15-18, such peaks 64 may be formed between adjacentpartitions 68. Such peaks 64 may be disposed adjacent to at least one ofthe valleys 66 along each wall 60, 62. Thus, in exemplary embodiments,the bladder 34 may have a variable width, and the variable width mayinclude a maximum width W1 extending from a peak 64 of the first wall 62to a corresponding peak 64 of the second wall 62. In addition, as shownin at least FIG. 18, the variable width may include a localized width ateach peak 65 that is greater than the minimum width W4 and less than themaximum width W1. The partition 68 may include any number of bands 74required to restrict lateral expansion of the bladder 34 in the inflatedstate. In such exemplary embodiments, the number of bands 74 included inthe partition 68 may be directly related to the inflated height H4 orthe length L1 of the bladder 34. For example, in the exemplary bloodpressure cuff 300, a bladder 34 having a greater height H4 may require agreater number of bands 74 to limit expansion of the bladder 34 bylocally restricting expansion of the bladder 34 to the minimum width W4.Likewise, in the exemplary blood pressure cuff 600, a bladder 34 havinga greater length L1 may require a greater number of bands 74 to limitthe expansion of the bladder 34 by locally restricting expansion of thebladder 34 to the minimum width W4 and/or to the localized width at eachpeak 65. In such embodiments, the bands 74 also assist in restrictingexpansion of the bladder 34 beyond the maximum overall width W1.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have a variety ofadvantages over known, single-bladder blood pressure cuffs whenmeasuring the blood pressure of obese or bariatric patients. Suchapplications are unique from non-obese blood pressure measurementapplications due to the enlarged circumference of the patient's arm andthe relatively short distance between the patient's armpit and elbow.For instance, a typical obese patient's arm may have a circumference ofapproximately 14 inches or more. At the same time, the distance betweensuch a patient's armpit and elbow may be between approximately 5 inchesand approximately 6 inches. While standard adult blood pressure cuffshaving a length sufficient to wrap around an arm having such acircumference, such cuffs may have a width that extends beyond the elbowof the patient when positioned on the patient's arm. The exemplary bloodpressure cuffs of the present disclosure are configured to overcome thisdeficiency.

Moreover, while AAMI standards would require increasing the width ofknown cuffs in conjunction with lengthening the cuff to fit suchcircumferences, the standard increase in width would result in a bloodpressure cuff wider than the distance between the armpit and elbow ofmost obese patients. The exemplary blood pressure cuffs of the presentdisclosure, on the other hand, are dimensioned to fit between the armpitand elbow of such patients. In addition, the exemplary bladdersdescribed herein are configured such that at least three inches of thewidth of the bladder and/or at least ⅗ of the width of the bladdercontacting the patient's arm may remain in contact with the arm whilethe blood pressure cuff occludes the patient's brachial artery. Inexemplary embodiments, such a width or “contact zone” may be at leastthree inches wide and/or at least ⅗ of the width of the bladder, and maybe configured to maintain contact with the aim of the patient whileoccluding the brachial artery. Such contact enables an appropriatelength of the artery to be occluded during measurement, therebyresulting in an accurate blood pressure reading.

As shown in FIG. 19, this degree of contact, however, would not bepossible with standard single-bladder cuffs having similar dimensionsdue to limited bladder height H5 when inflated. Instead, a bladder 114of such conventional cuffs would form a substantially circularcross-section about a limb 80 (such as an arm) of a patient 82 at theinflation pressures required for occlusion of the brachial artery 88 inobese patients (typically approximately 160 mm Hg). Such across-sectional shape would minimize contact with the patient's arm 80during measurement, thereby resulting in spot-occlusion or inefficientocclusion of the artery 88 and erroneously high pressure readings.

Generally, a contact zone having a width that is at least 50 percent ofthe maximum deflated width of the blood pressure cuff is required toobtain an accurate blood pressure measurement. However, whenconventional blood pressure cuffs, such as the cuff shown in FIG. 19,are used to occlude the brachial artery 88 in an arm 80 of an obesepatient, a width W5 of a contact zone created by such cuffs is typicallymuch less than 50 percent of the corresponding maximum deflated cuffwidth. As a result, although the width W5 of the contact zone of thebladder 114 may maintain contact with the arm 80 of the patient 82 whilethe brachial artery 88 is occluded, the relatively minimal width W5 ofsuch a contact zone may erroneously augment blood pressure readings.

As shown in FIG. 10, an exemplary blood pressure cuff of the presentdisclosure may be wrapped around, secured to, and/or otherwise worn onthe arm and/or other limb 80 of a patient 82. Although the exemplaryblood pressure cuff configuration of FIGS. 3-6 is illustrated in FIG. 10for ease of description, any of the exemplary blood pressure cuffsdescribed herein may be utilized in accordance with the methodsdescribed below.

Once properly positioned between an armpit 84 and an elbow 86 of thepatient 82, the blood pressure cuff may be inflated to the inflatedheight H4, and the height H4 may be greater than the height H5 describedabove with respect to the conventional blood pressure cuff of FIG. 19.Inflating the blood pressure cuff shown in FIG. 10 may cause an artery88, such as the brachial artery, of the patient 82 to become occluded,thereby blocking a flow of blood from the heart through the artery 88.The inflation of the blood pressure cuff may be accomplished byconnecting, for example, a pump, bulb, and/or other like inflationdevice to the port 22. Such devices may force a fluid, such ascompressed air, into the first bladder 34. Such a fluid may then pass tothe second bladder 46 via the one or more passages 54 described above.In exemplary embodiments, the blood pressure cuff may be inflated to atleast 160 mm Hg, above which the brachial artery 88 may be occluded.

In an inflated state, the second bladder 46 may maintain contact withthe arm and/or other limb 80 of the patient 82 while the brachial artery88 is occluded. In exemplary embodiments, a width W3 (i.e., the contactzone) of at least three inches of the second bladder 46 may maintaincontact with the arm 80 of the patient 82 while the brachial artery 88is occluded. The width W3 of the contact zone shown in FIG. 10 may belarger than, for example, the width W5 of the contact zone shown in FIG.19. In addition, the height H4 may be approximately twice the height H5.As a result of this exemplary configuration, the first and secondbladders 34, 46 shown in FIG. 10 may be inflatable to a combined heightH4 that is greater than twice the maximum (deflated) width W1 describedabove divided by Pi. This relationship between the combined inflatedheight H4 of the bladders 34, 46 and the maximum width W1 may result ina blood pressure cuff having an increased contact zone width W3 for agiven overall cuff width. For example, such a relationship may result ina contact zone of sufficient width W3 to efficiently occlude thebrachial artery 88 in patients 82 having arms 80 of larger than normalcircumference. Such an increased contact zone width W3 may result fromthe relatively uninhibited expansion of the bladders 34, 46 in thedirection of the arm 80.

The blood pressure of the patient 82 may then be measured utilizing, forexample, a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope, and/or other likedevices. For example, the blood pressure of the patient 82 may bemeasured in conjunction with slowly releasing fluid from the bloodpressure cuff. The pressure at which blood flow can first be heardwithin the artery 88 may be measured (systolic blood pressure), and asthe fluid continues to exit the cuff, the pressure may again be measuredwhen no sound within the artery 88 can be heard (diastolic bloodpressure).

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1. A blood pressure cuff, comprising: a first bladder having a width,and a length transverse to the width; a second bladder connected to thefirst bladder; and a port fluidly connected to at least one of the firstand second bladders.
 2. The blood pressure cuff of claim 1, furtherincluding a tail connected to the first bladder, the tail including aslot configured to accept the port.
 3. The blood pressure cuff of claim1, wherein the second bladder is disposed within the first bladder. 4.The blood pressure cuff of claim 3, wherein the second bladder isfluidly separate from the first bladder.
 5. The blood pressure cuff ofclaim 3, wherein the port comprises a first port fluidly connected tothe first bladder, the blood pressure cuff further comprising a secondport fluidly connected to the second bladder.
 6. The blood pressure cuffof claim 5, further including a tail connected to the first bladder, thetail including a slot configured to accept only the first port when theblood pressure cuff is worn around an arm of a first patient having afirst circumference, and only the second port when the blood pressurecuff is worn around an arm of a second patient having a secondcircumference different than the first circumference.
 7. The bloodpressure cuff of claim 3, wherein the first bladder is inflatable to afirst height, and the second bladder is inflatable to a second heightless than the first height.
 8. The blood pressure cuff of claim 3,wherein when the first bladder is in an inflated state, a bottom of thefirst bladder includes a contact zone at least 3 inches wide.
 9. Theblood pressure cuff of claim 1, wherein the first bladder is fluidlyconnected to the second bladder.
 10. The blood pressure cuff of claim 9,wherein the first bladder includes a first orifice disposed opposite theport, and a top of the second bladder includes a second orifice, thefirst and second orifices permitting the passage of fluid between thefirst and second bladders.
 11. The blood pressure cuff of claim 10,wherein the bottom of the first bladder is sealed to the top of thesecond bladder about a respective perimeter of the first orifice. 12.The blood pressure cuff of claim 9, wherein the first bladder isinflatable to a pressure of approximately 160 mm Hg, and the secondbladder is inflatable to a pressure approximately equal to the pressurewithin the first bladder.
 13. The blood pressure cuff of claim 9,wherein the first and second bladders are inflatable to a combinedheight that is greater than twice the width of the first bladder dividedby Pi.
 14. The blood pressure cuff of claim 1, wherein the secondbladder is removably attachable to the first bladder.
 15. A bloodpressure cuff, comprising: a first bladder including a top sealed to abottom opposite the top, the first bladder having a width, and a lengthequal to approximately three times the width; a second bladder fluidlyconnected to the first bladder, the second bladder including a topsealed to the bottom of the first bladder, and a bottom sealed to thetop of the second bladder, the second bladder having a length and awidth approximately equal to the respective length and width of thefirst bladder; and a port sealed to the top of the first bladder, theport fluidly connected to the first bladder.
 16. The blood pressure cuffof claim 15, wherein the bottom of the first bladder includes a firstorifice and the top of the second bladder includes a second orifice, aperimeter of the first orifice being sealed to a perimeter of the secondorifice to permit the passage of fluid between the first and secondbladders.
 17. The blood pressure cuff of claim 16, wherein the first andsecond orifices comprise corresponding elongated orifices disposed alonga central longitudinal axis of the blood pressure cuff
 18. The bloodpressure cuff of claim 15, wherein when the second bladder is in aninflated state, the bottom of the second bladder includes a contact zoneat least 3 inches wide.
 19. The blood pressure cuff of claim 15, whereina fluid pressure within the first bladder is substantially equal to afluid pressure within the second bladder while occluding a brachialartery of a patient.
 20. The blood pressure cuff of claim 15, whereinthe length of the first bladder is greater than approximately 11 inchesand the width of the first bladder is less than approximately 7 inches.21. A blood pressure cuff, comprising: a bladder having a length and avariable width, the variable width including a maximum width and aminimum width, the bladder including a first wall, a second wallopposite the first wall, and a plurality of partitions extending fromthe first wall to the second wall, each partition of the plurality ofpartitions including a plurality of thru holes and a band, the bandrestricting lateral expansion of the bladder beyond the maximum width.22. The blood pressure cuff of claim 21, wherein the maximum widthextends from a peak of the first wall to a corresponding peak of thesecond wall.
 23. The blood pressure cuff of claim 22, wherein the bandis disposed along the minimum width of the blood pressure cuff between avalley of the first wall and a corresponding valley of the second wall.24. The blood pressure cuff of claim 21, wherein the band is embeddedwithin respective partition.
 25. The blood pressure cuff of claim 21,wherein the length of the bladder is between approximately 11.25 inchesand approximately 13.75 inches, and the maximum width is betweenapproximately 5.25 inches and approximately 6.5 inches
 26. A bloodpressure cuff, comprising: a connection portion including a tail; aninflation portion connected to the connection portion, the inflationportion including a pocket, and a top having an orifice; and aninflatable bladder removably disposed within the pocket, the inflatablebladder including a port passing through the orifice.